Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The importance of being media-savvy

Media work has always been important to Amnesty International, since Peter Benenson first wrote that famous article, “The Forgotten Prisoners”, for The Observer in May 1961.

As part of our overall media strategy in Australia, we encourage supporters to communicate Amnesty International’s messages in their local media. There are a range of ways you can do this – calling talkback radio and writing letters to the editor, for example, are timely ways to comment on human rights in the public sphere. For more information on this and other ways to promote human rights in your local media, ring in to our talkback roleplay session later this month:

Date: Thursday, March 19
Time: 5.30pm-6.30pm AEST / 5pm-6pm SA / 4.30pm-5.30pm QLD / 4pm-5pm SA / 3.30pm-4.30pm WA
What: A fun session, where activists are invited to call a telephone conference phone number from their home phone, hear talkback tips, then practise expressing AIA’s messages on-air. The session will be hosted by media trainer Richard Fitzgerald and AIA media and public affairs coordinator Caroline Shepherd.
RSVP Essential: Please contact Jenny Leong by Wednesday, March 18, at jenny.leong@amnesty.org.au

Media support behind the scenes
If you would like to help out with finding local media stories and drafting media releases, please get in contact with your local community campaigner.

Media spokespeople in front of the microphone
Some of you may like to take on a role as local media spokesperson for your region. This would involve talking to local media about branch events or other activities in the region. Please contact Jenny Leong or your local community campaigner if you’re interested. Note there is no closing date as we are always on the lookout for spokespeople!

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